Redwood Sorrel (Oxalis smalliana) is in the Woodsorrel Family family (Oxalidaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,827 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from February to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Redwood Sorrel: observations by month (U.S.)
About Redwood Sorrel
Oxalis smalliana, commonly known as redwood sorrel or California wood sorrel, is a species of the wood sorrel family, Oxalidaceae, in the genus Oxalis native to moist coast redwood forests of western North America from Monterey County, California to Curry County, Oregon.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Redwood Sorrel by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,795 | April | Feb–Jun |
| Oregon | 30 | April | Apr–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Woodsorrel Family)
Bermuda buttercup
Violet Woodsorrel
Mountain Woodsorrel
Upright Yellow Woodsorrel
Largeflower pink-sorrel
Oregon woodsorrel
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Redwood Sorrel?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from February to June.
Where is Redwood Sorrel most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon.